Settling in

Went to see some other apartments. One on about 10^th floor overlooking the sea. Actually almost all the apartments overlook the sea so mystique is losing significance. This apartment is very nice but a bit holiday-home in style and decor. Comfortable though. Many Europeans in the complex.

Looked at another apartment 100 metres from beach – sort of out the door, down the path and onto the beach. The complex was ubra rich villas but this apartment was grotty and dank. Another apartment looked at was a nice layout inside but the nearby buildings were so close you were looking out of the window into either walls or other peoples apartments. We waited by the bus stop near this apartment. The heat was getting a bit much to bear but nearby there was a big sort of shop/warehouse type building with a big “Kitchenware” sign over the door. We thought we would investigate the air conditioners in this building and maybe even look at kitchenware. At the door a whole load of pretty girls met us but there were no signs of any

kitchenware. We asked and found it was a massage place. How much were the massages? They were about 200RMB. Ummm! A bit expensive for a massage. Maybe they mean Massage.

Need to evaluate my feelings about these apartments. However nice they are, the idea of living in them for a year fills me with dismay. They are small claustrophobic shelves in 35 storey buildings. All are pretty much the same layout. Balcony, sitting room with 1,2 or 3 rooms off that with a tiny kitchen. Door opens onto a corridor or stairs. I want space. The heat is also a factor here. I cannot be outside for more than a couple of hours so these apartments are a bit like prisons.

Eventually we settled on an apartment. Not the nicest we had seen but had certain features that would make life easier. The apartment has windows front and back which means we can get a draught running through. The bedrooms are not just off the living area which seems better to me. There are three bedrooms which gives more room. Outside the front door, the communal area is wide and long with windows. Also a caged area where we can put stuff. The block is about 30 stories high and we are on the 19^th floor. Unlike the previous apartment, we are surrounded by “old town” which makes life more interesting. Also very close to bus stop. On the down side, the landlady seemed nuts. She wouldn’t provide a cooker as cooking polluted the apartment. Actually that is true of Chinese cooking. She wouldn’t provide mattresses cos that meant we would sleep or something. Chinese mattresses are no great luxury anyway. We took it and so for better or worse, we are here for a year.

Next day went to the University to see about registering Naryan as a student. He should have registered a month ago but that sort of got left undone. Anyway, there was no problem if he is going to pay then he is welcome. University is a beautiful place and a refuge from the off campus world of noise. Had lunch in what I suppose is a sort of student union or student residential block. Food was one of the best we have had. Waitress spoke good English. Other things that Naryan has to do is to pay – via an account on the campus banks; have a medical at the Chinese immigration quarantine place and find a place to live. While on campus, I also opened a bank account. I wanted to put money into it via my overloaded credit card but they wanted 3% handling fee for putting money in So I didn’t transfer any. Natasha is looking for jobs for Viny. Viny has some interviews.

Took Naryan for a medical check at the Immigration Quarantine place along the coast northwards. I can tell that Naryan is not looking forward to this. The process required ECG, Xray, vision test, an ultrasound scan (I think they were looking at lungs) and a blood test. This is the real test. The nurse stuck the needle into Naryan’s arm and no blood came out so she wiggled it about a bit. Still nothing so she stuck in another needle which did get blood but it dried up after one phial so she ground it about a bit. Naryan had been stoic up to that point went into a state of collapse. The needles were removed and Naryan lay down but then the blood started flowing making a pool on the floor. We eventually got out of there alive.

Early Days

Next day started slow. Viny, as ever, buzzing around cleaning the apartment. N&N having a set too, as ever. I helped a bit.
One of the local community phoned and arranged to meet up. He arrived very quickly. It turned out that he lived 200 metres away. He invited us all for lunch at the beautiful apartment he was borrowing. Met up with friend of his that is starting a school. Education is a big thing. It seems to be the business to be in here.
In the afternoon, we went to the university to case the joint and meet with an estate agent who would show us some flats. It was soooo hot and humid – I just couldn’t cool down. The first apartment we saw was a bit grotty but had good vibes. Also it was near the beach but that had nothing to do with it – honestly. I could imagine living there. The rest of the apartments we saw that day were awful. (pic of me trying to catch a breeze by the window)
Went home and sat in the shower. The cold water is not cold enough but at least you don’t stick to everything for an hour or so afterwards. Then we went out for a meal. We noticed that most people here don’t have much of a kitchen. It is cheaper to eat out. There are probably at least 1000 eating places within a km of here. How are we ever going to sample them all.

The Journey begins

So, we set off on the morning of the 20th August. Peter (Maria’s Father) dropped us off at the airport then later returned with my coat that I left in his car. The AerLingus flight to Heathrow was uneventful and when we arrived we took a tube to Natasha’s flat in Islington. Natasha and Naryan had taken their 15Kg allocation and also we had sent two 20kg boxes to that address. So these had to be repacked to four 32kg luggage bags. We were a few kg under but the bags were nearly too heavy to manage. Then back to Heathrow terminal 4 and to Kingfisher airlines. Checked in ok and went to plane. (21:00) No rush but no surplus time either. Flight to Delhi was about 10 hours and nothing special. Couldn’t sleep as usual. Arrived in Delhi and went through to transit lounge. Tried to get permission to leave the airport but without success. Didn’t feel too bad about this as we were soooo tired and it was pouring with rain outside.
The transit lounge was full of shops and places to eat. We had no rupees so went to change some money. The money exchange would only change money if we had an Indian passport. Why would an Indian be in the transit lounge?? The lounge had wifi. To activate one puts in ones mobile phone number and it will text you the username // password. But it only works for Indian mobile phones. Why??
Eventually, after 16 hours we are back on the plane to HongKong. Again, nothing very exciting happened but was able to sleep a bit. Arrived in HK about 7:40 on the 23rdAugust. Skyped Douglas and arranged to meet him at HK station. Fast train to HK station. Met Douglas. He took us to HK Yacht Club for a shower and breakfast. After living in same clothes for some 50 hours, shower was orgasmic. Breakfast in salubrious surroundings made us feel human again. Then back to Douglas’ apartment and met Meena also. HK is such a cool place and doubly so when you have friends like Douglas & Meena.
Subway to border at 2:30. Crossed border to Shenzhen, China. Train to Guangzhou and met Chung Jian’s friend in Starbucks at 6:00. He had bought tickets a few days earlier and was holding them for us. We boarded the train in massive thunder storm Never been so close to a lightning bolt again and again. Found our bunks and went to sleep for 12 hours. Woke an hour or so before arriving in Xiamen. Made our way to KFC to gather our senses. Met a guy called Rick who helped us with Mobile sim cards.
First impression of Xiamen was ok. Nothing stunning but hot and humid. Later found out that the back door of KFC let to a Mega shopping arcade all airconditioned. And underground there were shops that stretched as far as the eye could see and a brand new Tesco.
Anyhow, phoned Shan who had promised us a bed for the night and an apartment for as long as we want. Shan picked us up 15mins later and took us to the apartment. 2805 ????? Aparment is good and we will stay for a couple of weeks. After settling in we went out to explore a bit. Shan directed us to Trust Mart supermarket and we went to but essentials for cooking & sleeping. Pleased to find all sorts of western food there. Unlike my previous travels in China where shopping was a voyage of discovery. The weather is like a sauna.
We ate Chinese that night. Slept ok but found it difficult to regulate the air conditioning.